Pakistani Cricketer's Surprising Choice Sparks Debate Among Fans
Sahibzada Farhan's unexpected choice of Ahmed Shehzad over cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag has taken the cricket community by surprise. His personal connection to Shehzad, who inspired him to play, has led to mixed reactions from fans and former players alike. While some find humor in the situation, others express disbelief at the comparison. As Farhan continues to make his mark in T20 cricket, this incident raises questions about player admiration and legacy in the sport. Discover more about the reactions and implications of this bold statement.
Jan 15, 2026, 22:35 IST
Controversial Selection by Sahibzada Farhan
During a 'this-or-that' segment, Pakistani cricketer Sahibzada Farhan made a surprising choice that left cricket enthusiasts astonished. Instead of opting for legendary Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, he named former Pakistani opener Ahmed Shehzad as his preferred player, leading to the rapid spread of this video online.
Personal Connection to Ahmed Shehzad
Farhan explained that his selection was influenced by personal feelings, stating that Ahmed Shehzad was the player who inspired him to start playing cricket and remained his idol for a long time. However, many found this comparison uncomfortable, as Tendulkar and Sehwag are regarded as two of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket.
Ahmed Shehzad's Career Overview
It is noteworthy that Ahmed Shehzad's career did not progress as expected. He played a limited number of Test and ODI matches for Pakistan and, despite some impressive innings, could not secure a permanent spot in the team. Nevertheless, Farhan's preference for him over Tendulkar and Sehwag has sparked both humor and criticism on social media.
Reactions from Former Cricketers
Responses from former Pakistani cricketers have also emerged regarding this matter. Ex-batsman Basit Ali expressed his surprise at the statement and humbly requested that the issue not be escalated. He mentioned that it did not seem genuine to him and that he would personally ask Farhan if he made this choice in a sound state of mind.
Kamran Akmal's Humorous Take
Meanwhile, former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was seen laughing at the statement, jokingly apologizing and asking the audience to forgive Farhan for his blunder.
Sahibzada Farhan's Current Performance
Currently, Sahibzada Farhan is becoming an essential part of Pakistan's T20 team. He has scored over 900 runs in 37 T20 international matches and recently achieved back-to-back half-centuries against Sri Lanka. However, he has yet to make his debut in Test and ODI formats.